Council to lead new housing development in Gleadless Valley

Sheffield City Council has committed to being the lead developer for
new housing developed in Gleadless Valley. Although it is fairly common
for regeneration projects to be led by private developers, this has been
ruled out as an option for the area following feedback from residents.

The Council has been speaking to local people, groups and services as
part of its work to develop a masterplan for Gleadless Valley. Options
for the long term plan include new housing on vacant sites, improving
flats and maisonettes, and remodelling or renewing selective blocks of
maisonettes with better quality housing residents have told us that they
need in the area. Improvements to green spaces and local facilities
are also being considered as well as making better use of the existing
commercial estate including retail outlets and proposals that could
provide more job opportunities in the area.

The Council will carry out further consultation next year once more
detailed plans are developed. In the meantime it has committed to being
the lead developer for new housing across the estate.

Councillor Jim Steinke, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety at Sheffield City Council, said: “We know we need more housing and more diverse homes in Gleadless Valley. But local residents have been clear – since the start of this masterplan process – that they do not want Gleadless Valley sold off to a private developer or spend years delivering the improvements suggested by residents.

“We’re still looking at the options, but are committed to being the lead developer for new housing on the estate. This will mean we’re able to get the type of housing people want and need in Gleadless Valley – such as specialist housing for older people, more family houses and modern flats for rent and sale.

“People have told us they want new housing on some of the vacant sites, as well as investment in the existing flats and maisonettes. There has also been some support for demolition and replacement of some maisonettes and flats in areas where the housing is unpopular. But this is something we need to look at more closely, and in discussion with anyone who might be directly affected.”

Options for Gleadless Valley were developed with residents during
design workshops held in September. These were on display at public
exhibitions and an online consultation during October and November, so
more people could have their say.

The Council is carrying out further work to explore options for
improved housing, more usable green spaces, more off-road parking and
how community facilities can work better for local people. Further
consultation will be carried out next year before the masterplan is
finalised at the end of May.

The masterplan will be a long term investment plan for Gleadless
Valley for the next 30 years. Although the government is funding the
development of the plan, it has not yet committed any extra funding for
the improvements themselves. The Council will therefore use some of its
existing budget for some early improvements, as well as bidding for more
Government funding once specific projects have been developed. We are
committing to improving the quality of our flats and maisonettes and
plan to make a start in 2019/20. We will put in planning applications
for new build in 2019/20 on the existing housing sites. The more
detailed masterplan will quickly follow in June 2019, subject to
resident support at Cabinet.